Sleep apnea decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claim for major depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted. The Board also remanded the cases of hypertension, sleep apnea, and right ankle condition due to need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service symptoms and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for rosacea as secondary to herbicide exposure due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD, must be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the diagnosis and etiology of any diagnosed sleep disability.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted with a rating of 50% effective December 16, 2013. The appeals for higher initial disability ratings and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral arm condition has been withdrawn. The Board finds that remand is warranted for the issues of service connection for back disability, hypertension, thyroid disability, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and GERD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the service connection claims and the reopening of a pneumonia claim before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep disorder, including sleep apnea, was aggravated by his service in Iraq. The examiner is asked to consider the Veteran's lay statements and any potential aggravation of his sleep disorder by PTSD medications.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to be examined and have their medical records reviewed in order to determine if they are entitled to higher disability ratings for their right ankle fracture and lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The right side flat foot and bilateral ankle disorders are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus due to secondary to service-connected hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy. The Veteran's current diagnoses of sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus are not related to his active service, and there is no evidence that they are caused or aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and red eyes with high pressure were dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and left shoulder disability, finding that both conditions began during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for asthma and sleep apnea due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's service records. The issues will be reconsidered after all available records are obtained.